In Loving Memory of Louise A. Graves

Louise A. Graves, 93, passed away on January 8, 2019 in Canon City, where she had lived since 1946. Louise was born on August 17, 1925, in Coal Creek, Colorado, to Steven Bacchieri Cortesi and Maria (Bruni) Cortesi, who had migrated from Emiglia Romagna, Northern Italy, in the early 1900’s. She grew up in Coal Creek and nearby Florence.

Louise loved to dance. She spent many years going to dances. She met her first husband, Marvin K. Fields, at a dance in Florence; they were married on June 21, 1946, and moved to Canon City, where they lived until Marvin’s passing on March 1, 1978. Then Louise met Kenneth L. Graves at a dance at VFW 4061, where she was a lifetime member; they were married on August 7, 1982. Kenneth passed away in November of 2002.

Besides dancing, Louise was an avid bowler. She took it up with her girlfriends in the 1970’s and continued to bowl with them into her late 80’s. She also loved fishing and RVing, and spent a lot of summers in Gunnison. She was a wonderful baker, as well, who loved to make desserts from scratch.

Louise also collected angels. After she passed, many of her friends among the staff and residents at Legacy Care Center were able to take some of her angels to remind them of her.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Melody Boydstun and Melody’s husband Mike; her grandson, Shane Boydstun; her granddaughter Shelby London and Shelby’s husband, Mitch; her great-grandchildren Laney, Kaylie, Owen and Hunter; her sister, Vera Graham; numerous nieces and nephews, and many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Fields; her son, Richard D. Fields, who passed in 1999; her husband Kenneth Graves; her brother Geno Cortesi; her niece, Stephanie Rocchio; her lifelong best friend, Corine Beck; and many other dear friends.

Her family would like to express their gratitude to Legacy Care Center for all the love and care they gave Louise over the last 2 ½ years. She loved all her caregivers and thought of them as friends. They would also like to thank the Sangre de Cristo Hospice for their care over the last few days of Louise’s life.

The family will hold a service at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Return to Nature Funeral Service, Canon City, Colorado www.returntonaturecolorado.com